High school graduation rates up across Michigan

Number of Michigan students to graduate from high school is 76.24 percent, up from 74.33

The Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) released statewide graduation rates for high school students.

The percentage of Michigan students to graduate last spring is 76.24 percent.

That figure is up 1.9 percent from the 2011 rate of 74.33 percent, according to data.

"These numbers reflect the highest rates we have seen since we started reporting the data using a cohort methodology," said CEPI Director Thomas Howell. "This methodology allows us to track individual students from the first time they enroll as ninth-graders and has resulted in a more accurate measure of high school success for our students."

More than 53 percent of school districts saw higher graduation rates, including many of large districts.

The Detroit School District showed noticeable improvement, boosting rates by a full 5 percent, from 59.7 to 64.7 percent.

Of the 14 school districts with 1,000 or more students in the senior class, all but three improved rates between 2011 and 2012.

The largest increase in graduation rates were seen in several racial and ethnic groups.

Rates for black students reached 59.93 percent last year, an increase of 3.64 percent since 2008.

Hispanic student rates were at 64.3 percent, up 3.97 percent.

"This is more positive news for Michigan public schools," said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. "This is reflective of how our teachers and students are succeeding with the rigorous Michigan Merit Curriculum and being better prepared to continue Michigan's economic comeback. We must stay on this positive course and keep our standards high and Michigan Merit Curriculum intact."

Four-year graduation rates are an accountability measure adopted by the state and aligned with the National Governors Association Graduation Counts Compact.